Mets get timely hitting in eighth inning to take series with Royals

Harrison Bader snapped a scoreless tie with an eighth-inning RBI single Sunday afternoon and four pitchers combined on a three-hitter for the host New York Mets, who beat the Kansas City Royals 2-1 in the rubber game of a three-game interleague series.

The Mets have won seven of 10. The Royals lost for just the second time in 10 games.

Pete Alonso led off the eighth by walking against Chris Stratton (1-1). Alonso went to second on a bunt by Tyrone Taylor before Francisco Alvarez flew out. Stratton then walked Jeff McNeil and Brett Baty before Bader legged out an infield single on a slow roller to third.

Brandon Nimmo followed with a four-pitch walk to force home McNeil.

Edwin Diaz notched his third save despite giving up a two-out homer to Vinny Pasquantino. Brooks Raley (1-0) threw a 1-2-3 eighth.

Nimmo and Francisco Lindor each had two singles for the Mets. Salvador Perez and Bobby Witt Jr. had the Royals' other hits.

Neither pitcher factored into the decision despite tossing six scoreless innings apiece. Mets rookie right-hander Jose Butto gave up two hits and walked one while striking out nine. Royals left-hander Cole Ragans allowed five hits and walked one with eight strikeouts.

The only runners Butto allowed beyond first base were Perez and Witt Jr., who doubled in the second and sixth, respectively.

The Mets had more traffic against Ragans, who retired nine straight following Nimmo's leadoff single. Starling Marte led off the fourth with a single and went to third when right fielder Hunter Renfroe misplayed Francisco Lindor's single. Ragans then retired Alonso on a pop-up before Marte was thrown out at home trying to score on Taylor's fly out to left.

The Mets got two runners on in each of the next two innings, but Ragans ended the fifth by retiring Nimmo on a grounder to first and concluded his afternoon in the sixth by inducing Francisco Alvarez to hit into a fielder's choice in the sixth.

New York loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh against John Schreiber, but Lindor popped out to Pasquantino.

--Field Level Media